Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Force India’s Driver Merry-go-Round

So apparently, although Vitantonio Liuzzi has a signed contract to continue as a race driver for Force India in 2011, which a copy resides in Geneva with the FIA Contract Arbitration Board; scuttlebutt continues to swirl that Force India would prefer to insert reigning DTM Champion Paul di Resta; cousin of somebody named Dario Franchitti into Liuzzi’s seat instead...

The 24-year old Scot has taken part in Friday morning Free Practice sessions and comes with the caveat of being backed by Mercedes Benz, who currently power the Silverstone-based squad’s racecars. As reputedly di Resta’s inclusion as a race driver could lead to a discounting on Vijay Mallya’s ‘Merc engine bills? As scuttlebutt also claims that Mr. Mallya’s team has been not overly fast upon paying its creditors; not to mention a few legal battles it’s lost recently...

Then there’s The Incredible Hulk looking for employment after having been let-go by Team willie to make way for Pastor Maldonado. As Nico Hulkenberg has already decreed: I’M NOT DRIVIN’ NO STINKIN’ HRT! And could be set to take up the dubious task of Test & Reserve Driver for Force India – with the proviso of doing Friday morning outings a la di Resta in 2010... Could this simply be a tune-up for Nico’s manager Willi Weber’s previous charge’s seat? (Can you say Herr Schumacher...)

Although three F1 Constructors have yet to publicly announce their 2011 Driver line-ups: Force India, Hispania and Scuderia Toro Rosso; it’s expected that Toro Rosso will stand pat with its 2010 drivers, thus leaving Hispania as the only team yet to confirm its driver intentions for the upcoming season.

And this seems a tricky situation too – as I’d like to see Bruno Senna retain his drive; as I’m sure that Uncle Bernaughty would like to keep the Senna name in the Formula One spotlight. Yet I’m assuming Mr. E also wants to see Karun “Cowboy” Chandhok back in a race drive for 2011, especially with the upcoming inaugural Indian Grand Prix.

And although it would certainly be a downgrade for Tonio – driving for HRT, it seems to me it would be the best way to keep his name on the F1 roll call. As although I’d hazard a guess that Messer Fernandes still hopes to see his Homeboy “F-Squared” (Fairuz Fauzy) move up to the role of Grand Prix driver soon; perhaps if Liuzzi was willing to try-try, try-again? He’d make a great replacement for the knottsoe Trulli Scrumptious, eh? Or he could moonlight at HRT in preparations to become Rubino’s successor after his 20th season in F1?

And perhaps I’m wrong – having become a fan of tonio’s ever since I read ‘bout his Moon walking in Gold Boots escapade; not to mention he reminds me quite a bit of MAD MAX (NO! NOT Mosley - Massimiliano) Papis... As it doesn’t seem like Tonio’s ever gotten a legitimate chance in F1. I mean, just imagine if Tonio’s Gearbox hadn’t decided to go south whilst running a fabulous fourth at his home race in Monza, Italy, way back in 2009, upon his F1 return as “Fishy Fella’s” replacement - when the VJM-01’s were surprisingly fast in low downforce configuration...

Now comes word that India’s first Gran Primo Piloto, Narain Karthikeyan has usurped his countryman Karun Chandhok for a drive at HRT. With backing from none other than the TaTa Group – as in India’s TaTa Motors, Y’all know as in the current owners of Jaguar and Land Rover... Which means I guess ‘“Cowboy Chandhok may be looking for work elsewheres; Hmm? There’s always Narain’s PickemUp Truck seat, eh?